Conditions:Summer Perch fishing on Lake Erie is in full swing with many limits being taken, often in only a matter of hours. Perch have been schooling heavily in the usual locations with the heaviest concentrations in 50-52 feet of water off the point at Presque Isle and in 45 to 50 feet of water North of Walnut Creek. Walleye action is rapidly picking up with the best catches coming from 25 to 40 feet of water west of Walnut Creek to the Ohio line. Bass fishing remains fair to good all along the lake shore in 25 to 35 feet of water and throughout Presque Isle Bay. Current Lake Erie water temperature off Erie is 72 degrees.

Recent Flooding and Collateral Debris:The heavy flooding from last week has subsided although with all the tribs dramatically over flowing their banks ,the debris field that spewed from the mouths was significant. Large trees have been spotted drifting all along the lake shore, many of them significant in size and a few bobbing vertically. Walnut Creek and the USCG office have receive numerous calls and requests for removal. The reality here is that we simply have had an act of nature and these agencies nor any other agency hold no specific responsibly for cleaning up the Lake nor are the boats necessarily equipped for this type of operation. Should any agency assume responsibility for any type of debris cleanup a case could be made if every piece of debris in the lake was not salvaged...obviously an impossible task. Any boater that has taken any type of boating safety course through the PFBC the USCG for the Power Squadron knows that the number one rule of boating is to always keep a sharp lookout. With the recent flooding and the resulting debris field in the Lake, a good skipper should simply have a heighten awareness and be keenly on the watch. When a large obstruction is spotted marine courtesy might dictate a mention on the radio to warn fellow boaters. As always most all of the debris eventually makes it to shore. Use caution and keep you eyes open.

Congestion at Walnut Creek:This past week was as busy as it gets at the Walnut Creek Access area. The new traffic pattern worked surprisingly well with little to no difficulty and trailer traffic moving smoothly. The tie down area can get congested at times and those boaters that will be taking longer than a few minutes to get squared away might be wise to move to an open area in the East lot to secure their boat and equipment. Even at the peak of the busiest times, the traffic and launch areas had little to no need for physical traffic direction.

Know the Area Before You Launch:Boaters, especially those from out of town that are not familiar with the area should take note of the regulations specific to our area. Although much of the following is marked, boaters should know these regulations. Boats are limited to slow, minimum height swell speed in the following areas:Through the Erie Harbor Entrance between the North Pierhead Light (foghorn) and Inter Range Tower.

In the area adjacent to the Erie Public Dock, extending from the Erie Sand and Gravel Company on the West to the Continental Grain Company piers on the East. The restricted area will include the Canal Basin and extend northward to the harbor line. (In short, the channel connecting Presque Isle to Lake Erie)

Within the boundaries of Presque Isle State Park, including the waters of Marina and Misery Bays and the waters along the bay and lake shore for a distance of 500 feet from the shore.

Water skiing, other than for the purpose of take off or approach, is prohibited within 500 feet of the shoreline of Presque Isle peninsula.

The anchoring of watercraft in the entrance channel to Horseshoe Pond, Fox Pond, Marina Bay, the Lagoons or the bridge at Misery Bay in a manner that interferes with the public use of these areas or in a manner which creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited.

The mooring of boats to any dock, wharf, pier, ship or boat launching facility in a manner that interferes with public use or creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited.

Boats are prohibited within 100 feet of designated swimming beaches at Presque Isle State Park.

The internal lagoons from Marina Drive Bridge at the West end of the Long Pond through the northern entrance of Graveyard Pond shall be limited non powered watercraft and electric motors only.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph...diminishing to around 5 mph after midnight.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph...becoming northeast in the afternoon.